Interpol operation nets millions of fake goods

PARIS 
Interpol has announced the arrest of more than 6,000 people in a world-wide anti-counterfeiting sweep that netted millions of dollars worth of fake shampoo in China, phony cigarettes in Turkey and bogus booze in Chile.

In all the operation coordinated by the Lyon-based international police agency seized some 24 million fake goods worth nearly $133 million, Interpol says in a statement Thursday.

The first ever Interpol-led operation targeting illicit trade in Asia shut down 21 production sites operated by eight criminal syndicates making fake shampoo and toothpaste in southern China. More than 400 people were arrested in Thailand for hawking counterfeit clothing and DVDs, while in Vietnam police arrested an individual linked to $6 million worth of illicit electronic appliances.